GLASGOW North MP Ann McKechin has officially opened the new post office branch in Maryhill.

Post Office Ltd and Tesco relocated the post office branch on Maryhill Road to allow customers to continue to receive a service while redevelopment work is completed at the Maryhill shopping centre. 

The new, modern branch has now been set up at 1401 Maryhill Road to allow customers to continue to use a wide range of post office services and continue to collect their pensions and benefits locally. 

Post Office Ltd and Tesco have worked hard to relocate the branch in a short timescale when the shopping centre and store closed on January 3. 

Ann McKechin MP, said: 

“I’m pleased that the Post Office has committed to moving in to the redeveloped Maryhill Shopping Centre when it is completed. I’m also pleased that I was able to help in ensuring that there will be this important continuing local service while the shopping centre is being rebuilt.” 

Customers will still be able to access the same range of products and services throughout the same opening times as the old post office, which was run by Tesco within the shopping centre.  Once development work is completed and Tesco returns to the shopping centre, the post office branch will also transfer back.

Sally Buchanan, network development Manager for Scotland, said: 

“Post Office services are extremely important for the community and this branch is a vital asset to the local area. 

“We are pleased we have been able to provide a similar sized branch within the new premises for our customers.  We are also grateful to Ann McKechin for the support in helping us to find alternative premises.  We hope that our customers continue to use the branch as they did while it was in shopping centre.”

The branch will be managed by the franchise partner Tesco run by the same staff in the new premises.

Jennifer Duncan, Corporate Affairs Manager from Tesco, said:

“We recognise the important service that the Post Office offers people in Maryhill and are proud of the work done to ensure this key service is available while the new store is underway.  We are grateful for the community’s patience while work takes places and hope they will be pleased to see some familiar faces when visiting the Post Office in the meantime.”

The Maryhill Tesco store and post office branch is expected to re-open in the shopping centre in late 2010. A free bus service is being providing to the Tesco St Rollox store in Springburn while the Maryhill store is closed.

Around 200 new full and part time jobs will be created by Tesco on top of those we already employ at the Maryhill store.

Ann McKechin MP has been a vociferous campaigner on provision and access to local postal services in Glasgow North. In 2008 she collected over 4,000 signatures from local people for her petition which kept both Hyndland and Kelvindale post offices open following the company's network change programme.